SPARC Restricted Class Regulations
Revision as of 05:30, 17 October 2026 by RobotRobot (talk | contribs) (New page: overview of the SPARC Restricted Class Regulations, linking to the current version)
The SPARC Restricted Class Regulations add extra limits for classes that an event may choose to run alongside the standard ones: the Sportsman class and the Plastic class. It is one of the SPARC documents.
Current version: SPARC Restricted Class Regulations v1.0
This summary is based on v1.0 (1 September 2026). It is an overview only – always check the current document and your event's own rules.
A robot built for a restricted class is also legal in the standard class of the same weight, since the restricted rules only add limits. Everything not covered here follows the standard Robot Construction Specifications.
Sportsman class
- Spinning weapons are limited to a tip speed of 20 ft/s. Tip speed (ft/s) ≈ RPM × diameter in inches × 0.00436. Weapon speed may be checked with a tachometer before the event.
- Saws and drills may go faster if the saw's effective tooth pitch (tooth count ÷ diameter in inches) is 5 or more – for example, a 10″ blade with 60 teeth qualifies, but one with 40 teeth doesn't. Saws are limited to the blade's rated RPM, and the spinning parts can be at most 15% of the robot's weight. Wheel-like and rubber spinners don't need to meet the tooth rule. Any weapon over 20 ft/s must be approved during registration.
- Wedges: active wedges (moved by their own actuator) are unlimited, but a robot may have only one passive wedge.
- Weapons the event considers too destructive can be limited or banned. Walkers keep their weight bonus, but a walker that uses the extra weight for an overly destructive weapon will be disqualified.
- Events with non-standard arenas (such as open-air or sumo arenas) may add more limits.
Plastic class
The aim of the class is to be affordable and accessible, and to encourage experimenting with 3D printing.
- Frames, weapons and other custom parts must be FDM/FFF 3D printed from PLA, PLA+, PET, PETG, PCTG, ABS or ASA. Rebranded PLA+ (for example "PLA Pro") counts as PLA+.
- No other materials are allowed for custom parts, including blends and composites such as carbon fiber PLA or glass-filled ABS.
- Off-the-shelf parts (motors, electronics, axles, bearings, fasteners) can be any material, but only for their normal job – not as armor, weapon impactors or counterweights.
- Tires and traction parts can be rubber or foam. Magnets for extra traction or downforce are not allowed.
- Post-processing that makes parts tougher (annealing, acetone soaking, boiling) is not allowed.
- Robots can be disqualified if they break the spirit of the class.